Becoming: Sad Endings
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, to the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.
Psalm 30:11-12 (NKJV)
Better is the end of a thing than its beginning.
Ecclesiastes7:8 (NASB)
Everybody loves a happy ending, but far too few people get to live it,
'For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it' (Matthew 7:13-14).
Every story on Earth is a journey. We “become” how we walk and what we seek.
Some start well, but end poorly, like King Saul. He had God’s favor, but threw it away.
Samson seemed to be taking the same trip, but his tragedy turned into glory.
Only One went from glory to glory, without any poor steps or decisions. Despite temptations and opposition, despite everything, Jesus grew stronger, and His Life ended miraculously. He gave us His strength to follow His lead.
SIDEBAR: My parents: the fashion model and fighter pilot.
She started well– with talent and success, but seemed to forget the God of her youth. When she was hit with dire circumstances (a dark battle with Parkinson's disease), she wasn’t anchored to the Rock of Hope. (I believe she re-met God at the end and is living the ultimate ending.)
On the other hand, was my smiling dad: a relentlessly optimistic hero. When he was hit with dire circumstances (varied health and financial challenges), he remained hopeful and became stronger. He moved through life from gladness to glory.
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
Happy endings CAN follow waylaid lives, evidenced by the sinner on the cross, hanging with Jesus.* But why wait? Happier lives can start NOW.
When you face your own dire circumstances, if you stay thankful– then you’ll grow stronger. If becoming (like Christ) is a process, appreciation EASES that process. 'In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.' (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
One wondrous outcome: When you experience the worst of times, and others see your positivity, some will ask you the Reason for your hope. Because…
Against dark backdrops, light shines most clearly, and you BECOME Christ’s bright ambassadors… helping to rewrite countless sad endings to the most glorious ending of all!
Becoming: Sad Endings (Part 3)
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.
* The sinner on the cross is saved! https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+23%3A32-43&version=NKJV